Swimming appliance



B. DERI. SWIMMING APPLIANCE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 13, 1921.

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Patented Nov. 22,1921.

B. DERI.

SWIMMING APPLIANCE. APPLICATION FILED JUNE I3. I92].

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BRUNO DERI, on NEW YORK, N. Y.

SWIMMING APPLIANCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22,1921.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BRUNO DERI, a citizen of Italy, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Swimming Appliances, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to swimming devices and has for an object the provision of a. device which may be attached to the feet of a. person to increase pressure against the water on the power stroke. of the feet in swimming and thus aid in forcing the body through the water.

Another object is the provision of a device of this character which will offer only a slight resistance to the water during the movement of the feet toward the body, the increased momentum obtained by the power stroke more than offsetting any tendency of the device to drag.

Another objectis the provision of a device as above set forth in which the wearer may walk upon the bottom, or upon the beach without having to remove said device, the latter being so constructed and arranged as to permit of the usual walking action of the feet.

A further object is the provision of device for swimming, which may be easily and securely fastened in position, or quickly removed when desired.

IVith the above and other objects in view, the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claim.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation partly broken away showing the device attached to the foot and in the position assumed during the movement of the foot toward the body, of a person in the act of swimming.

Fig. 2 is a view looking down on the top of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the position of the device during the reverse or power stroke of swimming. I

Fig. 1 is a side elevation showing the position of the invention when applied to the foot of a person walking, the full lines showing the foot firmly on the ground while the dotted line position illustrates the post tion of the device when the heel is raised.

Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the full line position of Fig. 4.

F 6 is a bottom plan view of the same.

Fig. 7 is a top plan View.

Fig. 8 is a bottom view showing the device in the position illustrated in Fig.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates a sandal, which is adapted to re ceive the foot of the swimmer and to be secured thereon through the medium of a strap 11 and buckle 12. The sandal is preferably provided with a heel 13 and a relatively thick flexible sole 1 1.

Secured to the sandal is a bar 15, the latter being disposed to one side of the sandal and extending upwardly and forwardly from the heel, to which it is secured by means of an arm or lug 16. Connecting the bar 15 and the sandal at a point intermediate their ends, is a substantially L-shaped arm 17, the latter extending beneath the bottom of the sandal and projecting upwardly to one side thereof so as to form a brace for the bar 15.

Hingedly secured to the bar 15 as shown at 18, is a. wing 19. This wing is formed of some light stiff material and is arranged to extend downwardly toward the bottom of the foot as the latter is drawn toward the body in the act of swimming and to be moved to an extended lateral position during the reverse movement or power stroke of the foot. In order to limit the movement of the wing during this power stroke so as to effect a resistance against the water, the bar 15 has extending laterally therefrom spaced fingers 20, which are disposed above the wing in the path of movement of the latter. The wing 19 is hinged for free movement so that only a slight obstruction is presented t0 the water during a forward movement of the foot, while a maximum of resistance is presented during a reverse movement.

By arranging the bar 15 at the angle shown, the wing is so hinged to the foot as to afford a maximum forward impulse to the body of the swimmer. In addition, it permits the swimmer to walk upon the land without interference, as will be readily seen by reference to Fig. 4: of the drawings.

lVhile a sandal is shown and described as the means for securing the device in place, it is understood that any other attaching means may be employed, or a sandal of adifferent character than the one shown, substituted.

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described the invention what is claimed is g A swimming device comprising a sandal, a frame secured thereto, said frame being inclined upwardly and forwardly from the heel of the sandal along one side of the latter, said frame including an inclined bar er:-

tending upwardly and forwardly from the 15 heel of the sandal, means for securing one end of the bar to said heel, a transversely disposed substantially L-shaped arm connecting the bar and sandal intermediate their ends, a wing hingedly secured to the bar and spaced fingers extending laterally from the bar above the wing to limit the movement of the latter in one direction.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

BRUNO DERI. 

